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City staff present Title 19 stormwater code overhaul under MS4 permit; first reading held
Summary
City staff briefed council on the new Title 19 stormwater code to align Ridgefield with the Washington State MS4 permit; the ordinance had its first reading and staff outlined phased adoption, an inventory of ~113 inspectable businesses, and an education‑first enforcement approach.
City staff presented the proposed Title 19 stormwater code (Ordinance 1483) at the Ridgefield City Council’s June 18 meeting as the first reading of a code rewrite designed to consolidate stormwater rules and meet state MS4 permit requirements.
Public Works Director Ryan Damer introduced stormwater program supervisor Shawn Mulderig, who described Ridgefield’s MS4 (municipal stormwater) permit obligations under the Washington State Department of Ecology, noting Ridgefield became a regulated permittee on Aug. 1, 2024 and is in a five‑year permit cycle that runs through March 2029. Mulderig said Title 19 will consolidate source‑control, illicit discharge and erosion‑control rules into one chapter and support future program growth and inspections.
Key details staff highlighted: phase‑one code adoption this year with phase two to follow; a focus on education and technical assistance before enforcement; development of a source‑control inspection program and an inventory of about 113 businesses that may require periodic inspection; and updated illicit‑discharge procedures and pollutant definitions (including PCB considerations for older commercial buildings). Mulderig said routine source‑control inspections must be rolled out by Jan. 1, 2028 under the permit timetable.
Councilors asked how many illicit discharges the city has experienced (staff said no systemic local problems were evident but cited common issues such as leaking vehicles, construction sediment and improperly stored chemicals), whether existing stormwater treatment facilities are grandfathered (staff said approved treatment and detention facilities are grandfathered and not immediately required to be upgraded), and whether the program will require new staff or budget increases (staff said the program is being run in‑house now and additional staffing may be needed after 2028 depending on workload).
Mulderig also outlined illustrative enforcement penalties in the city’s master fee schedule (first violation $500, second $1,000, third $2,000) and stressed a preference for voluntary compliance and technical support before penalties are pursued.
Ordinance 1483 received a first reading; council was told a second reading and the formal adoption vote will occur at a future meeting.
